What is the psychology of languages?

Is there a “right age” to learn a new language? When are we most receptive to learning a language? How do children learn languages? What are the benefits of picking up a foreign language? Let's find out...

How do children learn language?

One researcher called Noam Chomsky believed that the ability to team language is innate. Every child instinctively knows how to combine nouns and verbs to form the structure of sentences, and he will learn to do so regardless of whether he is taught to do so. The researcher had observed that children all over the world, no matter what language they speak, acquire language at around the same ages-they will learn their first words at the same time, speak bwo-word phrases at the same time and start speaking in sentences at the same age

Another researcher B. F. Skinner disagreed. He believed that children learn language through experience and rewards and punishment. For instance, if there is a dog in the room and the child says 'dog, his mother will reward him with a smile. The child thus learns that dog is the correct term for the creature and will use it the next time. Similarly, teachers and parents will criticise incorrect grammatical constructions and reward correct ones, and that is how the child learns to speak correctly.

Is there a right age to learn a language? One can learn to speak a language at any time. However, there seems to be a 'critical period for language development-about age 5, when we are most receptive to learning a language. It is easier to pick up a language at this age.

Learning foreign languages

Research has demonstrated many benefits of learning a foreign language. Apart from the obvious benefits of learning about a new culture and being able to communicate better with people from different countries, it also helps to develop several mental skills. When you learn a new language, you tend to pay more attention to grammar rules and sentence construction, and through this, you get a better understanding of the structure of language. Ultimately, this helps you to use your original language more effectively. Learning French will thus make you a better English speaker as well. Individuals who speak more than one language have been found to have better attention spans. They may be better at multi-tasking and decision making.

Learning a language can also boost our memory. Some researchers have found that learning a new language helps to enhance the development of certain areas of the brain-you actually build grey matter, just as exercising helps to build muscles! Bilinguals, i.e., people who can speak two languages, have been found to develop Alzheimer's disease (a disorder in old age where people lose their memory) at a much later age than those who speak just one language.

Quick tips

We can use psychological principles to help us leam a foreign language. Here are some tips.

  • Language is best learnt in the natural surroundings where it is spoken, rather than in a classroom. Hence, speaking to others who speak the language and leaming conversational phrases, is more effective than mere rote repetition of words and grammatical structures.
  • Exposure is key-it is useful to immerse yourself in the language, rather than devote one hour per day to studying the language. The reason why people who go to a foreign country learn to speak the language quickly is that they are surrounded by it. Watching movies, listening to songs, reading books and talking to people in the language will be of great help. You can also keep little vocabulary chits around your house write a cand saying the French word for mirror and place it next to the mirror, the word for ‘toothbnish' near the toothbrush, etc.
  • Working on all aspects of the language speaking, listening, reading and writing is helpful to understand how a word is written and pronounced.
  •  Practise-One of the best ways to learn a language is to keep speaking it, rather than passively listening. Do not worry about making mistakes. Talking to native speakers of that language, forming a study group where all of you converse in that language completely, is very effective. Online groups are also available.
  • Have fun with it-Having fun with learning helps to keep you motivated. Singing songs, playing word games, enacting plays in the language, etc. will help you learn it better.

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How to taste a rainbow with your ears?

If you ever listen deeply to a song on your headphones and focus intensely, you might sometimes see colours emerging in your mind that align with the songs mood or pace.

The science of perception

 Perception is highly variable. As human beings, our range of perception evolved to exclude the nanoscale and macroscale, and we learned to perceive only "medium-sized objects moving at medium speeds". We, as evolutionary organisms, have developed brains that understand only what we need in order to function in the world. And that means our tools of sensory perception are cultivated and specialised according to our domain of operation. We're perception specialists. And specialists can only ever handle a narrow dimension. But here's the good news dimension. But here's the good news: this doesn't have to limit our ability to put our extinction tools of preception to much better use and produce a much more lucid mental model of our reality.

Synaesthesia is the ability of brains to create collaboration between our memories and the sensory regions; here, sights, sounds, colours, tastes, shapes all interact to produce cross-integrated modes of perception - you can hear in colour, taste sights, see sounds, and all that jazz, as per Sussex-University research.

The combinatorial strategy

A well-documented tool of information-processing and storage is Mnemonics a mental tool that help us remember things more easily. Mnemonics employ a similar mechanism to synaesthesia. It works on the same principle of interconnecting concepts and associating new objects with pre-existing memories.

Any higher level of perception and information-processing seems to require a combinatorial strategy. Given that our perception is limited by the bandwidth of our senses, it becomes all the more useful - if not imperative - that we make efforts to increase interaction between the brain's domains and sensory inputs to produce a more cohesive and comprehensive view of the world.

Disinhibited feedback theory

 Neurobiologist J. Neufeld believes that the brains of synaesthetes are not much different from that of your everyday friend. But synaesthetic sensations can occur when the barriers between our sensory-processing regions of our brain recede or fall away. In this state of disinhibition, cognitive signals flow more freely between and along our sensory hierarchies and neural pathways. Thus, an optical stimulus (an object or word we see or read) might trigger or bleed into the olfactory (smell-sensing) cortex, producing a sensation of fragrance or odour associated with the word or object.

How does it work?

Synaesthesia is about the interaction between domains of your brain that hitherto worked in isolation. It's collaborative, integrative, interactive. It seems to fortify or strengthen a perception by combining more layers of sensory input in its formation. Like an artist fully recreates a face by accreting dabs of paint of varied shades to define each contour. Like a lump of sugar dissolves fully into a cup of tea to make it sweet. Like you find a joke hilarious because you've processed the punchline simultaneously in two different dimensions of perception the literal, and the ticklish nonsensical - and, therefore, the double-entendre shocks you into laughter.

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WHAT IS THE BOREDOM EFFECT IN PSYCHOLOGY?

From boosting creativity to instilling mindfulness, boredom can do much for your brains, studies suggest.

When was the last time you felt bored? Truly bored-where you had nothing to do, or didn't feel like doing anything? When you had to watch lonely clouds in an empty sky through your window or just wander aimlessly around the garden at home, picking at leaves or observing ants walking in a line up a wall?

Chances are that such instances of abject boredom would be few and far between. People today have fewer reasons to feel boredom as the avenues for entertainment and mental Occupation are plenty. While children of the eighties and nineties often spent some or the whole of their summer vacations dealing with various forms of boredom, children today often do not have time to get bored. They have activities packed through their vacations, they have the internet, OTT and video games to keep their brains constantly stimulated and entertained.

But do you want to eliminate boredom completely? Ask researchers.

How boredom can be good for you

Turns out that an idle mind is not the devil's workshop, after all. According to studies conducted by neuroscientists, boredom can be good for you.

Psychologists James Danckert and John D Eastwood in their 2020 book Out of my Skull: The Psychology of Boredom, say that boredom can push us to realize our potential and lead full meaningful lives.

 Without boredom there would be no daydreaming or no room for reflection, both essential for a healthy mind. Daydreaming is where creativity stems from Feeling bored is unavoidable, but it is not a judgment on one's character or ability, say researchers.

On the contrary, the very feeling could steer the mind towards ideas and creativity. Unstructured time (with no specific events on the schedule) can help children and adults come up with creative solutions to problems, improve social interactions and learn to develop a sense of self-contentment.

In one of his early writings, British philosopher Bertrand Russel advises parents to allow children the freedom to experience "fruitful monotony. This "doing nothing" would make them more inventive and imaginative, he says.

So, what exactly is boredom?

Boredom is defined as an emotional and psychological state when the individual has nothing particular to do and he or she feels that the period is dull or tedious. It is often described as an unpleasant experience. Imagine standing in a long queue at a supermarket or waiting for a bus or at an airport. Essentially, these periods of nothingness are usually described as boring.

In a classroom, for instance. Haven't you felt bored in certain classes? Well, you are not alone. Studies say it is perfectly normal to feel boredom in a learning environment when the subject being taught is too difficult or too easy.

Technology to the rescue

As soon as electronic devices took over, we have learnt to avoid boredom. We swipe away at our smartphones, going through our social media feeds, playing a game or just listening to music

Technology has had a huge impact on our capacity to feel boredom. It fills up empty time pockets of our lives so well that boredom sometimes has even come to mean the absence of technology. That said, overuse of gadgets has led to a sense of fatigue. How much can you play the same game? How much of other people's lives do you look at?

How to deal with boredom

Do not try to fight it. Accept it and let your mind wander aimlessly. Create a new routine. Each time you get bored, find a new activity to do.

Avoid quick fixes. Try not to reach out for your games or the TV when you are bored. Passive engagement will do great things for you.

Rest, refresh

Consider boredom as a period of rest for the brain. Leave a little time in a day to get bored. You might discover new hobbies and interests, leam to be mindful, or even leam something new about yourself. Maintain a book of boredom and note down the thoughts that come to mind. At the end of a week or month, if you flip through the pages, you would get fresh insight into your own mind.

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I am looking at psychology

I am doing my inter second year and I've opted for HEC (History, Economics, Civics). What are the options at graduation level and the best institutions for these courses in India and abroad? I am looking at psychology till now and I don't want to enter the economics or business-related fields.

Though History and Civics are not very job-oriented fields, they are helpful if you want to enter journalism, archaeology, publishing or even TV or film production. These subjects are a very popular choice for various competitive examinations at state and central level like civil services.

But a psychology degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities, and new areas such as sports psychology and environmental psychology are also coming up. A strong foundation in the understanding of human behaviour opens the career door to a variety of options including personnel work for a company, child development, counselling and law, just to name a few.

Psychology graduates have knowledge of the assessment of personality, intelligence and attitudes, interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis, child development, and methods of teaching and learning. This knowledge can be applied to an enormous number of occupations and professions like market research, social work, personnel management and career guidance. They may also be involved in investigations such as crime detection, lie detection.

Some of the good colleges are Indian Institute of Psychology & Research, Bangalore; Psychology of Education, Bureau of Education, Allahabad; University of Madras, Chennai; Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

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I am planning to do three papers in English Literature and three papers in Psychology for my third year

I am currently doing S.Y.B.A. and I am planning to do three papers in English Literature and three papers in Psychology for my third year. But I do not know what I want to do after that. Please suggest some good career choices for me as I am an introvert and would like to work in Goa and not anywhere else.

 While the traditional careers for English majors are teaching, editing, and writing, it is not unusual to find these students in a wide variety of occupations. Translation is yet another area, especially if you're familiar with other languages besides English. Creative writing and even technical writing is yet another option. Please remember that a career in technical writing does not require a scientific or engineering background, but it does require an excellent command of the English language and the ability to write logically, clearly and accurately.

Psychology graduates have knowledge of the assessment of personality, intelligence and attitudes, interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis, child development, and methods of teaching and learning. This knowledge can be applied to an enormous number of occupations and professions like market research, social work, personnel management and career guidance. They may also be involved in investigations such as crime detection and lie detection.

So there are various options open for you. I'm sure you can find something of your interest in Goa.

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What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?



What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? Can a person become either one of them with subjects PCM in Std XII? Are psychologists or psychiatrists needed in the defence forces?



Psychologists and psychiatrists both study the brain, emotions, feelings and thoughts, and work with people suffering from grief, trauma or mental disorders. Though they both work in the same field, the job description, education and training are very different.



Psychologists study the human mind through lab tests, surveys and interviews. They use this information to counsel patients suffering from mental disorders, grief or trauma. Their primary focus is on the patient’s thoughts, feelings and general mental health.



Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They specialize in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of mental health problems. They may write prescriptions to help patients manage disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or bipolar disorder.



To become a psychologist, you would begin your education with graduation in Psychology, for which eligibility is 10+2 in any stream. Graduation should be followed by a master’s degree as well as a doctorate degree in Psychology. But if you want to become a Psychiatrist, you should go for MBBS for which 10+2 with PCB is the requirement. Later on, a specialization in Psychiatry should be done. Both are very well needed in the armed forces.



 



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I want to make a career in Psychology but I don’t know about its scope in Dehra Dun and Delhi. Please guide me.



 



A psychology degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Psychology graduates have knowledge of the assessment of personality, intelligence and attitudes, interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis, child development, and methods of teaching and learning. This knowledge can be applied to an enormous number of occupations and profession like market research, social work, personnel management and career guidance. They may also be involved in investigations such as crime detection and lie detection.



You need at least a Master’s degree for professional work in which you might administer and interpret psychological tests, counsel college students with educational or emotional problems, or help the handicapped find suitable training and employment. Some firms employ their own psychologists who are always on the lookout to improve methods of training, working conditions, method of salesmanship, etc.



With a doctorate’s degree, they can qualify for more responsible research and counseling positions in hospitals, clinics and other health facilities. Research psychologists examine the behaviour of individuals in order to understand and explain how and why they act as they do.



The work of a psychologist should not be confused with that of the psychiatrist who are medical practitioners specializing in the prevention and cure of psychological disorders. The training of a psychiatrist usually takes a much different track when compared with psychologists.



 



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I want to become a psychologist



I’m a student of Std. X and I want to become a psychologist. What stream and subjects should I choose? Which are the good colleges in India or in the U.S. offering psychology? Are there any good research centres in India or the U.S.?



To become a psychologist, you need to have a Master’s degree in Psychology. So first complete Std. XII in any stream. Then go for a B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology, which is of three years’ duration. Many colleges admit students on the basis of marks obtained in 10+2. The better the college is, the higher the cut-off percentage goes.



Courses in Psychology are available almost all the universities. Some of these are Annamalai University, Annamalainagar; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Banasthali; National Council of Educational research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi; Psychology of Education, Bureau of Education, Allahabad; University of Madras, Chennai; Tata Institute of Social sciences, Mumbai.



 



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